Edwards agony as Lions call up England coach Farrell for tour of Australia

Once Warren Gatland had officially confirmed his Lions coaching line-up, he spoke of the ‘agonising’ decision he had made just days earlier, which left his long-term side-kick Shaun Edwards stunned and shattered.

Of all the potential candidates across Britain and Ireland and beyond, he had to choose between two close friends, two men from the same town in northern England, two ex-rugby league players who had competed side-by-side for club and country so many times.

It all came down to Andy Farrell v Shaun Edwards and Gatland chose Farrell over the man who had helped him guide Wasps and Wales to titles and glory.

When the management team for the tour of Australia was unveiled in the sprawling splendour of Hopetoun House outside Edinburgh, there was no dissent about the re-appointment of Graham Rowntree and Rob Howley.

As the men in charge of the forwards and the attacking game, they will both pick up from where they left off in South Africa in 2009.

The talk was all about Gatland’s deliberation between the former Wigan stalwarts from the 13-man code.

While the head coach is a no-nonsense Kiwi, he hadn’t found it easy.

‘It was pretty agonising really,’ he said. ‘There was a lot of speculation – people talking about Shaun. For me, that was the most difficult decision to have to make. He is a world-class coach who has been very, very successful. But I felt that, from a selfish point of view, I wanted someone fresh (Farrell) who I haven’t worked with, who would challenge me.

‘I told Shaun a few days ago – that’s when I spoke to him about my final decision. He appreciated the call but at the same time he was very, very disappointed.

Left out: Edwards (above) had been hoping to embark on another Lions tour with Gatland (below left)

'It wasn’t the easiest decision in the world to make. But it is a profession, it is a business and I have to make those hard calls.’

Howley knows Edwards well through their work together for Wales. When asked if the former Wasps coach would be disappointed by this news, his reaction was revealing.

He thought long and hard, looked intently at the questioner and replied: ‘Very.’

No more words were needed. The force of that one hung in the air.

Despite having trouble coming to terms with this remarkably close call, Gatland had no doubts about the wisdom of turning to Farrell, even though he is an international coaching novice with just nine England Tests under his belt.

He canvased opinion far and wide and the response was universally positive about the 37-year-old.

‘Having spoken to coaches and players who’ve worked with Andy, he comes highly recommended,’ said the New Zealander, who insisted that he didn’t reach a final verdict until after the autumn Tests – which meant Farrell’s input into England’s win over the All Blacks was a factor.

‘I am excited by that. He brings something different in terms of his background, as the youngest captain of Great Britain’s rugby league team. People who have been involved with him talk about his ability to motivate players and make them want to play for him.’

Pointing the way: Gatland has opted to take Farrell to Australia with him

FIXTURES

For Farrell, inclusion in the Lions hierarchy maintains a year of scarcely credible personal advance.

Back in January, he was busy learning
his trade at Saracens, then Stuart Lancaster asked if he could help out
with England’s interim coaching set-up.

He did such a good job that the RFU
pursued him and after a brief hiatus when he initially turned them down,
the union got their man.

Now, back in the Test fold again, he has been given the chance to take the ultimate step up.

‘It’s been a hell of a year, it’s
been unbelievable,’ he said. ‘I feel very fortunate to have an
opportunity like this so early in my coaching career. It’s something I’m
very proud of.’

On a Lions tour, so much of the
emphasis is on developing cohesion and understanding as fast as
possible, among a diverse group of players and coaches, under extreme
pressure and scrutiny.

Farrell suggested that his
experience of similar scenarios with Saracens, the Saxons and a new-look
England squad may have worked in his favour, saying: ‘I’ve been through
quite a lot of that.’

Scrum's the word: Rowntree will be responsible for coaching the pack

While relishing his own opportunity, he will be mindful of Edwards’ disappointment.

The ex-team-mates remain close to this day and Farrell believes he is cut from the same cloth as his more established coaching counterpart.

‘We’ve got the same sort of background and know each other well,’ he said. ‘We’re both from the same town, the same club – it couldn’t get any more similar really. I class myself to be a similar type of character and competitor to Shaun and we’ve both won things along the way, so it’s not a bad combination to have. We’re good friends and we’ll speak.

‘Our paths cross a lot. There are a lot of good-luck messages between us either way. He was the first one to text me after the New Zealand game to say congratulations.

'After the disappointment of just losing out to Australia (with Wales) it was very much appreciated on my part.’

Asked if Edwards had been in touch to congratulate him on the Lions role that he craved, Farrell said: ‘No, but we’ll speak.’

The coaching team

ANDY FARRELL

Born: May 30, 1975 in Wigan, England.

Tests (as player): 8 (all in 2007).

Position: Centre.

Club(s): Saracens, Wigan RL.

Coaching career: Saracens (from 2009), England (2012-).

Lions background: none.

Other: Made Great Britain rugby league debut at age of 18 and was youngest-ever captain at age of 21. Won five championships and four Challenge Cups in successful Wigan side. Former world Player of the Year in league.

Crossed codes in 2005 but missed a whole season through injury. Part of England (union) squad which reached Rugby World Cup Final 2007.

ROB HOWLEY

Born: October 13, 1970 in Bridgend, Wales.

Tests (as player): 61 (from 1996-2002).

Position: Scrum half.

Club(s): Wasps, Cardiff, Bridgend.

Coaching career: Cardiff Blues, Wales (from 2008).

Lions background: Toured South Africa in 1997, but injury ended his tour early. Toured Australia in 2001, playing in two Tests. Served as attack coach under Sir Ian McGeechan in South Africa in 2009.

Other: Captained Wales 22 times in 1998 and 1999. Welsh Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997. Famously won 2004 Heineken Cup for Wasps with last-gasp try against Toulouse at Twickenham.

Lions background: Toured South Africa in 1997, but unable to break into Test squad. Toured New Zealand in 2005 and played in two Tests. Served as scrum coach under Sir Ian McGeechan in South Africa in 2009.

Other: Part of the 2003 Grand Slam-winning England squad but overlooked for World Cup. Played 398 matches for Leicester from 1990-2007, winning two Heineken Cups and four Premiership titles.